Retired

Retired

Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times

Asael Gonzalez prays before a meal with his granddaughter Erika Jovel at his son's home in Northridge. Gonzalez, a Zapotec Indian, was a supervisor at Hamburger Hamlet for many years, recruiting hundreds from his mountain region of Oaxaca, Mexico, to work in the then-expanding chain. Many went on to become highly skilled chefs. Gonzalez now lives in Tecate, Mexico.

Asael Gonzalez prays before a meal with his granddaughter Erika Jovel at his son's home in Northridge. Gonzalez, a Zapotec Indian, was a supervisor at Hamburger Hamlet for many years, recruiting hundreds from his mountain region of Oaxaca, Mexico, to work in the then-expanding chain. Many went on to become highly skilled chefs. Gonzalez now lives in Tecate, Mexico. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

Asael Gonzalez prays before a meal with his granddaughter Erika Jovel at his son's home in Northridge. Gonzalez, a Zapotec Indian, was a supervisor at Hamburger Hamlet for many years, recruiting hundreds from his mountain region of Oaxaca, Mexico, to work in the then-expanding chain. Many went on to become highly skilled chefs. Gonzalez now lives in Tecate, Mexico.